News 01/08/25

Donald Trump says he’s ordered two nuclear submarines to be moved into position following what he described as “highly provocative” comments from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

Medvedev, who now sits on Russia’s Security Council, had warned the US to remember Moscow’s Cold War-era nuclear capabilities.

Trump wrote online that the submarines were being deployed “just in case” the Russian threat turned out to be more than words.

A 76-year-old man has been charged with child cruelty after several boys fell ill at a summer camp in Leicestershire.

Jonathon Ruben faces three counts of wilful ill-treatment involving boys aged between eight and eleven. They were taken to hospital along with an adult on Sunday as a precaution after feeling unwell at the camp near Melton.

All have since been discharged.

British banks and lenders have avoided what could have been a multi-billion pound compensation bill, after a Supreme Court ruling narrowed the scope of claims linked to mis-sold car finance deals.

The court found that while one claimant, Marcus Johnson, was due individual compensation, it disagreed with a wider Court of Appeal ruling that customers were owed money where lenders had paid “secret” commissions to car dealers.

The decision is expected to significantly reduce the number of potential claims from motorists who took out finance agreements without being told about dealer commissions.

Five illegal e-scooters and e-bikes have been seized in Chalvey during a police operation in Slough this week.

Thames Valley Police said PC Mendes led the crackdown, which also included public engagement around the dangers of using unregulated vehicles.

In a separate update, police said five arrests were made in Slough, a missing person was located, and several stop and searches for drug-related activity were carried out, resulting in one out-of-court disposal.

Police say an adult was also taken to hospital alongside eight children following a suspected poisoning at a summer camp in Leicestershire.

The 76-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident was detained on Monday evening at a nearby pub. He’s being questioned on suspicion of administering poison or a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

The incident took place on Sunday in the village of Stathern, though police initially gave the wrong day and later referred themselves to the police watchdog over how it was handled.
The adult was taken to hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged.

An eighth person has now been arrested in connection with the deaths of an elderly couple killed in an arson attack in St Helens earlier this month.

Eric Greener, aged 77, and 83-year-old Sheila Jackson died in a fire at their home in the early hours of July 15. A 48-year-old man from Everton is being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit arson.

46-year-old Lee Owens has already been charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will write the next James Bond film.

Amazon MGM Studios confirmed he’s been chosen to take on the script for the new 007 movie, which will be directed by Denis Villeneuve. It’s the first Bond film since long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stepped down earlier this year.

Knight said being asked to write the new Bond was “fantastic” and promised something bold, strong and faithful to the franchise’s legacy.

Ten men have been arrested in Bradford as part of an investigation into historical child sexual abuse.

West Yorkshire Police say the suspects, aged between 49 and 71, were detained at addresses across the city.

The allegations relate to offences committed between 1994 and 1997 involving six victims, all aged between 13 and 15 at the time.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank says safeguarding children remains the force’s top priority.

The Met Office has named the UK’s next weather system — Storm Floris — and it’s expected to bring unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain on Monday.

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern parts of England.

Forecasters say people should expect disruption to travel and possible localised flooding.

Heathrow Airport says it can build a third runway within the next decade at a cost of £21 billion.

The west London airport has now submitted its expansion plans to the government, including proposals for a new 3,500-metre runway.

Heathrow says it’s open to considering a shorter version if required, but the plans have already sparked concerns over carbon emissions, noise and environmental impact.

Back in January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government supports what she called a “badly needed” expansion to boost global connections and economic growth.

Two people have been injured in a lorry crash on the M4 between Slough and Maidenhead.

Emergency services were called just before 11 o’clock on Wednesday morning to the westbound carriageway between Junction 7 at Slough and Junction 8 9 near Holyport.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Slough and Langley, who remained at the scene for just over an hour.

Firefighters confirmed the crash involved two heavy goods vehicles, but no one was trapped.

Tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in England and Wales have risen to £9,535 a year — the first increase since 2017.

Maintenance loans have also gone up, allowing students to borrow more to help cover living costs.

The £285 rise marks a 3% increase and comes after universities warned they needed more financial support.

The government says it will outline longer-term funding plans in due course.

An Indian restaurant in Slough has had its alcohol licence revoked after being caught employing illegal workers.

Exotic Karahi, on Farnham Road, was visited by immigration officers last September, where three individuals were found to be immigration offenders.

A licensing meeting heard this week that all three said they had been given free food in return for their work – raising concerns of potential modern-day slavery.

In November, the business was handed a £90,000 civil penalty for employing two people without the legal right to work in the UK.